Check valve

ABSTRACT

A check valve comprising a sectional valve body adapted to be interposed in a flow line, a valve seat provided in one body portion, a pivotal clapper member movable toward and away from said valve seat to provide alternate open and closed positions for the valve and hanger means provided in the body including means for urging the clapper toward a normal closed position against the valve seat.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 415,742, filed Nov. 14, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in check valves and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to a check valveparticularly designed and constructed for facilitating repair andmaintenance of the valve when worn or otherwise damaged.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Check valves are old and well known for use in flow lines wherein it isdesirable to permit fluid flow in one direction and preclude fluid flowin an opposite direction. However, there are still many disadvantages incheck valves available today in that the repair and servicing thereof isfrequently very expensive and, in fact, it may be necessary tocompletely replace a check valve when it has become worn or damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a novel check valve particularlydesigned and constructed for overcoming the above disadvantages. Thenovel valve comprises a sectional valve body adapted to be interposed ina flow line. A valve seat is provided in one body portion forcooperating with a pivotal closure or clapper member to providealternate open and closed positions for the valve. The clapper member isprovided with a pivot shaft removably secured to the valve body by ahanger means whereby the clapper member may be readily removed from thevalve body for repair, or the like, and easily replaced in the valvebody for restoration of normal service for the valve. The hanger meansis constructed in a manner for constantly urging the clapper member in adirection toward the valve seat in order to provide a normally closedposition for the valve. The valve seat may be removable, if desired, forfacilitating repair thereof. In addition, a plurality of hanger sectionsmay be provided on one body portion indexed with respect to each otherfor orientation between the valve body sections in a manner whereby anew hanger section may be utilized with the clapper member when theclapper member has been repaired and replaced on the valve body. Thenovel check valve is simple and efficient in operation and economicaland durable in construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a check valve embodying theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hanger section in a check valveembodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view of a modified check valveembodying the invention.

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4 with portions thereofomitted for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another modified check valve embodying theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view of another still modified checkvalve embodying the invention.

FIG. 9 is a view taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view taken on line 10--10 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,reference numeral 10 generally indicates a check valve comprising afirst valve body 12 removably secured in substantial longitudinalalignment with a second valve body 14 in any suitable manner. As shownherein, the body sections 12 and 14 are provided with outwardlyextending flanges 16 and 18, respectively, disposed in abuttingrelationship and secured together by bolts 20 and lock nuts 22, as iswell known. The body portion or section 14 is provided with a centralbore 24 extending therethrough to provide a fluid passageway incommunication with the interior chamber 25 of the body portion 12. Theouter end of the bore 24 may be threaded as shown at 26, if desired, forthreaded engagement with a suitable coupling, flange fitting, or thelike (not shown). The bore 24 is enlarged at 28 oppositely disposed fromthe threaded portion 26 to provide an annular shoulder 30. The enlargedbore portion 28 is threaded at 32 for removably receiving a sleeve 34therein.

One end of the sleeve 34 bears against the shoulder 30, and the oppositeend 36 thereof and may either be in substantial planar alignment with acylindrical flange 37 provided on the body 14 or may extend into thechamber 25 beyond the body 14 to provide a valve seat for the valve 10.The inner bore 38 of the sleeve 34 may be of a diameter substantiallyequal to the diameter of the bore 24, or as shown herein, the diameterof the bore 38 may be of a diameter slightly less than the diameter ofthe bore 24. In this event, a suitable bevel 40 may be provided on theinner periphery of the sleeve 34 extending between the bores 24 and 38,as clearly shown in FIG. 1. Of course, if the diameter of the bore 38 isslightly greater than the diameter of the bore 24, a bevel (not shown)may be provided at the juncture of the bore 24 and the shoulder 30 andextending between the bore 24 and the bore 38. Suitable sealing means,such as an O-ring 42, or the like, may be interposed between the sleeve34 and the body 14 for precluding leakage of fluid therebetween. Inaddition, a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses (not shown)may be provided around the outer periphery of the valve seat 36, ifdesired, for facilitating installation and removal of the sleeve 34 fromthe bore 28, as is well known.

The body 14 is provided with an annular shoulder 44 extendingcircumferentially outwardly from the flange 37 for receiving the flange18 thereagainst. A pair of oppositely disposed inwardly directed spacedears 46 and 48 are provided on the inner periphery of the body 12 in theproximity of the flange 18 and are disposed in the upper portion of thebody 12 as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ears 46 and 48 are provided withlaterally extending recesses 50 and 52, respectively (FIG. 2) on theinward edges thereof for removably receiving the ends of oppositelydisposed flanges 54 and 56 of a hanger member 58. The flanges 54 and 56are of a substantially arcuate normal configuration in the longitudinaldirection thereof as shown in FIG. 3 and are relatively thin in orderthat they will be slightly yieldable or flexible. When the flanges 54and 56 are disposed within the recesses 46 and 48, and the flange 18 issecured against the flange 16, the flanges 54 and 56 will be broughtinto a pressure engagement with the shoulder 44. This pressure will tendto straighten the flanges 54 and 56 against the normal arcuateconfiguration thereof, which provides a "spring-like" force for securelyretaining the flanges 54 and 56 in position with the relative recesses44 and 46.

The hanger member 58 also comprises a pair of spaced oppositely disposedbosses 60 and 62 extending substantially perpendicular from the flanges54 and 56 and in a direction away from the body 14. The spaced inwardlydirected faces of the bosses 60 and 62 are provided with longitudinallyextending recesses or grooves 64 and 66, each having one end open at therespective flange 54 and 56, and the opposite end thereof closed asclearly shown in FIG. 3. In addition, the lower surface of the recesses64 and 66, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, tapers downwardly in a directiontoward the flanges 54 and 56 at an angle of approximately ten degrees,but not limited thereto, for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

A clapper or closure member generally indicated at 68 is pivotallysecured to the hanger member 58 in a manner as will be hereinafter setforth, and cooperates with the valve seat 36 to provide alternate openand closed positions for the valve 10. The clapper member 68 may be ofany suitable configuration, and as shown herein comprises asubstantially circular body 70 of an arcuate cross sectionalconfiguration, or substantially dish shaped configuration, having anannular shoulder 72 on the outer periphery thereof adapted to engage thevalve seat 36 in the closed position of the valve 10. A suitable sealingmember, such as an O-ring 74, is disposed in an annular groove 76provided on the shoulder 72 for engaging the seat 36 to preclude leakageof fluid in the closed position of the valve. Of course, if desired, thesealing member may be disposed in the valve seat 36 instead of on theclapper member 68.

A radially extending angular arm 78 is rigidly secured to the clapperbody 70 in any well known manner (not shown) or may be integraltherewith as shown herein as desired. The outer end of the arm 78 isprovided with a bore 80 extending transversely therethrough forreceiving a pivot shaft 82 therein. The arm 78 may be secured to theouter periphery of the shaft 82 in any suitable manner (not shown) forrotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 82, as is well known,and the opposite ends of the shaft 82 are journalled in suitablebushings 84 and 86. The bushings 84 and 86 are disposed within therecesses 64 and 66, respectively, with the shaft 82 spanning thedistance therebetween. The arm 78 is disposed between the bosses 60 and62 and pivotally supports the clapper 68 within the chamber 25. Due tothe slope of the recesses 64 and 66 in the direction toward the body 14,the force of gravity causes the bushings 84 and 86 to slide within therecesses 64 and 66 into a position whereby the pivot axis of the shaft82 is offset from the center of gravity of the clapper 68, thus causingthe clapper 68 to be constantly urged in a direction toward the valveseat 36, providing a normal closed position for the valve 10.

Whereas in the particular embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 the arm78 is rigidly secured to the shaft 82 for simultaneous rotationtherebetween, it will be apparent that the pivot shaft 82 may bestationary or fixed within the hanger 68 and the arm 78 may be suitablyjournalled thereon for rotation about the pivot axis thereof.

The body 12 is of a substantially bell shaped configuration having athreaded bore 88 provided at the end thereof opposite the flange 18, anddisposed in substantial axial alignment with the bore 26 for cooperatingtherewith to interpose the valve 10 in a flow line, or the like (notshown). The housing 12 is enlarged in the upper portion thereof in theproximity of the hanger member 68, as shown at 90 to provide clearancewithin the chamber 25 for a freedom of movement for the clapper member68 during opening of the valve 10. In this manner, the clapper member 68may be of the full opening type, providing a full flow of fluid throughthe valve 10 in the open position thereof. In addition, it is preferableto provide a suitable sealing member 92 between the flanges 16 and 18for precluding leakage of fluid therebetween. Of course, suitable bleedport means (not shown) may be provided in the body 12 in communicationwith the chamber 25, if desired.

In operation, the clapper member 68 is normally disposed against thevalve seat 36 to provide a normally closed position for the valve 10. Ashereinbefore set forth, the offset position of the axis of the pivotshaft 82 with respect to the axis of gravity of the clapper 68 causesthe clapper 68 to be constantly urged into a seating engagement with thevalve seat 36. When the pressure on the upstream side of the clapper 68becomes sufficiently great, the clapper 68 will pivot about the axis ofthe shaft 82 for opening the valve 10 and permitting a substantiallyunrestricted flow of fluid therethrough. When the upstream pressuredrops sufficiently, the weight of the clapper 68 combined with theoffset position of the pivot axis will cause the clapper 68 to return tothe normal closed position for precluding back flow or reverse flow offluid therethrough.

In the event the clapper 68 or seat 36 become worn or otherwise damaged,the valve 10 may be removed from the flow line in any suitable manner(not shown) and the valve bodies 12 and 14 may be quickly and easilyseparated. When the body sections 12 and 14 have been separated, thepressure of the shoulder 44 against the flanges 54 and 56 of the hangermember 58 will be released and the hanger member 58 may be easilyremoved from the recesses 50 and 52 of the body 12. The bushings 84 and86 may then be removed from the recesses 64 and 66 to remove the clapper68 from the hanger section 58. Any repair or maintenance work, such asfacing of the shoulder 72, or the like, may be performed on the clapper68 in the usual manner. The clapper 68 may then be reinstalled in thehanger member 58.

In addition, the sleeve 34 may be readily removed from the body 14 byunthreading the connection 32 therebetween in any well known manner. Anyrepair or maintenance work on the sleeve 34, such as facing the valveseat 36, or the like, may be readily accomplished in the usual manner.The sleeve 36 may then be easily reinserted in the body 14 and the bodysections 12 and 14 may be reassembled for installation in the flow line(not shown).

It will be apparent that facing of the shoulder 72 of the clapper 68and/or the valve seat 36 will change the dimensional relationshipbetween the clapper 68, valve seat 36, and body sections 12 and 14, thuseffecting the efficient sealing of the clapper 68 against the valve seat36 in the closed position of the valve 10. The slope of the recesses 64and 66 provides a compensation for any such dimensional variance bypermitting the bushings 84 and 86 to seek a position in the recesses 64and 66 whereby the shoulder 72 of the clapper 68 is in an efficientsealing engagement with the valve seat 36 in the closed position of thevalve 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, reference numeral 100 generallyindicates a modified check valve comprising a pair of longitudinallyseparable valve body sections 102 and 104 adapted to be interposed in aflow line (not shown) in any suitable manner. The valve bodies orhousings 102 and 104 may be removably secured in end to end relation inany well known manner and as shown herein the bodies 102 and 104 areprovided with complementary flanges 106 and 108, respectively, retainedin abutting relationship by a plurality of spaced bolts 110 and locknuts 112.

The body 102 is preferably substantially cylindrical and is providedwith a central bore 114 extending longitudinally therethrough to providecommunication with the interior chamber 116 of the valve body 104. Anannular shoulder 118 is provided on the inwardly directed end of thebody 102 to provide a valve seat for the valve 100. An outwardlyextending radial shoulder 120 is provided on the outer periphery of thebody 102 and is interposed between the flange 106 and valve seat 118 asclearly shown in FIG. 4. A plurality of circumferentially spaced hangersections 122 are rigidly secured to the outer periphery of the body 106in any suitable manner, or as shown herein may be integral therewith.

Whereas substantially any number of the hanger sections 122 may beprovided, as shown in FIG. 5 four of the hanger sections are provided onthe body 102 and spaced substantially 90° apart. Each hanger section 102preferably extends from the shoulder 120 to a point within the chamber116 beyond the valve seat 118. Each successive hanger 122 preferablyextends into the chamber 116 a slightly greater distance from the valveseat 118 than the preceding hanger 122, or the distance of protrusion ofthe hangers 122 into the chamber 116 may be varied in any suitablearrangement for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

Each hanger section 122 preferably comprises a pair of spaced arcuatefingers 124 and 126 having the outer portions thereof open for receivingsuitable bushings 128 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4) therein.The bushings 128 are fixedly secured or otherwise disposed on theopposite ends of a pivot shaft 130 which spans the distance between thefingers 124 and 126.

A clapper member or closure member 132, generally similar to the clappermember 68, and comprising a substantially circular body 134 having aradially extending angled shaft or arm 136 secured thereto or integraltherewith, is provided for the valve 100. The outer end of the arm 136is provided with a transversely extending bore 138 for receiving thepivot shaft 130 therethrough. The arm 136 may be secured to the outerperiphery of the shaft 130 between the bushings 128 in any suitablemanner for rotation simultaneously therewith and is disposed between thefingers 124 and 126 for pivotally securing the clapper 132 to the body102 to provide alternate open and closed positions for the valve 100.

As hereinbefore set forth, the clapper member 132 is preferably similarto the clapper 68, and is provided with an annular shoulder 140 aroundthe outer periphery thereof for engagement with the valve seat 118 toprovide the closed position for the valve 100. A suitable sealingmember, such as an O-ring 142, or the like, is disposed within anannular groove 144 provided on the shoulder 140, and the sealing member142 engages the valve seat 118 in the closed position of the valve forprecluding leakage of fluid therebetween. Of course, the sealing member142 may be disposed in the valve seat 118, if desired, instead of in theclapper 132.

The valve body 104 is preferably of a substantially bell-shapedconfiguration and is provided with an internal bore 146 in substantialalignment with the bore 114 for providing a fluid passageway through thevalve 100 in the open position thereof. The body 104 is enlarged at oneside thereon in the proximity of one of the hanger sections 122 as shownat 148 to provide clearance for the clapper member 132 in the openposition thereof. In addition, a pair of spaced ears 147 and 149 areprovided in the body 104 conterminous with the recess 148 to retain thebushings 128 in position, particularly if the bushings 128 are freelymounted on the shaft 130. When the fluid pressure upstream from theclapper member 132 becomes sufficiently great, the clapper will pivotabout the longitudinal axis of the shaft 130 to an open position forpermitting the flow of fluid through the valve 10. The enlarged portionof 148 permits the clapper 132 to move into a substantially full openposition for providing a maximum fluid flow through the valve 10. Inaddition, a bleed port 150, or the like, may be provided in the enlargedportion 148 for removably receiving a suitable plug member 152 thereinas is well known.

The hanger sections 122 are preferably disposed on the body 102 in sucha manner that the longitudinal axis of the shaft 130 disposed thereinwill be offset with respect to the center of gravity of the clappermember 132, thus gravity will constantly urge the claapper 132 towardthe closed position thereof against the valve seat 118, to assure anormal closed position for the valve 100.

When the valve 100 is installed in a flow line (not shown), the clappermember 132 is normally engaged with the valve seat 118 for efficientlyclosing the valve. When the upstream pressure becomes sufficiently greatfor overcoming the weight of the clapper 132 and the downstream fluidpressure, the clapper 132 will be pivoted in a direction away from theseat 118 to open the valve. When the upstream pressure drops below theopening pressure, the weight of the clapper combined with the offsetposition of the pivot axis of the shaft 130 will close the clapper 132against the valve seat 118 for efficiently closing the valve.

In the event the valve 100 must be repaired, the valve may be removedfrom the flow line in any well known manner and the body sections 102and 104 may be separated by removal of the bolts 110 and lock nuts 112.When the bodies 102 and 104 have thus been separated, the clapper 132may be easily removed from engagement with the hanger section 122whereupon suitable repair or maintenance work may be performed on theclapper, such as facing of the shoulder 140. In addition, the valve seat118 of the body 102 may be serviced if desired, such as by facing of thevalve seat 118. Subsequent to the repair operation or operations theclapper 132 may be reinstalled on the body 102 and the body sections 102and 104 may be secured together as hereinbefore set forth. The valve 100may then be reinstalled in the flow line as desired.

It will be apparent that the facing of the shoulder 140 and/or valveseat 118 will alter the relative dimensions of the clapper 132 and body102. In order to compensate for this variance, the body 102 may beindexed with respect to the body 104 to position a second hanger section122 in the proximity of the enlarged area 148, said second hangersection being of the proper extension beyond the valve seat 118 toaccomodate the clapper member 132 in the correct orientation withrespect to the valve seat 118 for assuring an efficient closing actiontherebetween.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 reference character 160 generallyindicates a check valve similar to the valves 10 and 100. The valve 160comprises a pair of valve bodies 162 and 164 removably secured togetherin end to end relation in any suitable manner. As shown herein the valvebodies 162 and 164 are provided with complementary outwardly extendingflanges 166 and 168, respectively, retained in abutting relationship bya plurality of spaced bolts 170 and lock nuts 172.

The valve body 162 is substantially cylindrical and is provided with acentral bore 174 extending longitudinally therethrough to providecommunication with the interior 176 of the body 164. The bore 174 isenlarged at 178 to provide an annular shoulder 180 for receiving aremovable sleeve 182 thereagainst. Suitable sealing means such as anO-ring 184 is interposed between the sleeve 182 and the bore 178 forprecluding leakage of fluid therebetween. The free end 186 of the sleeve182 preferably extends beyond the body 162 to provide a valve seat forthe valve 160 and a clapper member 188 is pivotally secured to the body162 in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth for cooperating withthe valve seat 186 to provide alternate open and closed positions forthe valve 162. A suitable sealing member 190 may be disposed within anannular groove 192 provided on the valve seat 186 for engaging theclapper member 188 in the closed position thereof to preclude leakage offluid. Of course, the sealing means may be provided on the clappermember rather than on the valve seat, if desired.

As hereinbefore set forth, the sleeve 182 is removably disposed in thebore 178 and may be retained in position therein by means of a set screw194. The set screw 194 extends through a radially extending threadedbore 196 provided in the body 162 and engages the bottom of an annularrecess 198 provided on the outer periphery of the sleeve 182. The bottomof the recess 198 may be tapered (not shown) for cooperating with thescrew 194 to urge the sleeve 182 in a direction toward the shoulder 180.The sleeve 182 may be removed from and replaced in the bore 178 in anysuitable manner (not shown) when desired.

The clapper member 188 as shown herein comprises a substantiallycircular disc 200 having a substantially flat face 202 on one sidethereof adapted to engage the valve seat 186 in the closed position ofthe valve 162. A suitable extension member 204 is provided on the face202 and an angled arm 206 is provided on the opposite side thereof. Theouter end of the arm 206 is provided with a transversely extending bore(not shown) for receiving a pivot shaft 208 therethrough. Suitablebushings 210 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 6) are disposed on theopposite ends of the shaft 208, and the bushings 210 are disposed withina hanger member generally indicated at 212, and which is secured to thebody 162 in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth. The longitudinalaxis of the pivot shaft 210 is preferably in substantial alignment withthe plane of the face 202 of the clapper member 188, but offset withrespect to the axis of gravity of the clapper 188 whereby the weight ofthe clapper combined with the weight of the member 204 constantly urgesthe clapper 188 in a direction toward the valve seat 186 to provide anormally closed position for the valve 160.

The hanger member 212 comprises a substantially flat bar member 214removably secured to the inwardly directed face 216 of the flange 166 bya plurality of bolts 218. A pair of outwardly extending space bossmembers 220 and 222 are provided on the bar 214 and are provided withaligned bores 224 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 6) for receivingthe bushings 210 therein. The arm 206 of the clapper 188 is disposedbetween the bosses 220 and 222 and the pivot shaft 208 and bushings 210retained in the hanger member 212 for pivotally securing the clapper 188to the body 162. In addition, the bores 224 of the bosses 220 and 222are slightly elongated as particularly shown in FIG. 6 and the bottomsurfaces of the bores 224 are angularly disposed with respect to thehorizontal and slope downwardly in a direction toward the body 162.Thus, gravity will cause the bushings 210 to slide in a direction towardthe body 162 in order to assure that the clapper 188 will be supportedby the hanger member 212 in a manner providing an efficient engagementthereof with the valve seat 186 in the closed position of the valve 160.

The valve body section 164 is generally similar to the body 104 and isprovided with an enlarged portion 226 in the proximity of the clappermember 188 to provide clearance therefore during opening of the valve160 as hereinbefore set forth. In addition, an access port 228 may beprovided in the body 164 for facilitating access to the interior 176thereof for bleeding pressure from the valve 160, or the like, as iswell known. Of course, a suitable plug 230 may be removably secured inthe port 228 for closing thereof during normal operating conditions forthe valve 160 and suitable sealing means, such as an O-ring 232, may beinterposed between the flanges 166 and 168 for precluding leakage offluid therebetween. It will be apparent that the clapper member 188and/or valve seat 186 may be repaired in the manner as hereinbefore setforth.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, a modified valve is generallyindicated at 234 comprising a valve body 236 having oppositely disposedaligned inlet and outlet ports 238 and 240, respectively, providing afluid passageway through the body 236. The inlet and outlet ports 238and 240 may be internally threaded as shown herein, or may be otherwiseconfigured for facilitating installation of the valve 234 in a flow line(not shown) as is well known.

The bore 238 is enlarged at 242 to provide an annular shoulder 244 forreceiving one end of a sleeve 246 thereagainst. Suitable sealing means,such as an O-ring 248, is interposed between the outer periphery of thesleeve 246 and the bore 242 for precluding leakage of fluidtherebetween. The outer end 250 of the sleeve 246 extends into theinterior 252 of the body 236 to provide a valve seat for the valve 234.A clapper member 254 generally similar to the clapper 188 is pivotallysecured to the body 236 in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth andcooperates with the valve seat 250 to provide alternate open and closedpositions for the valve 234. A suitable sealing member 256 is providedon the valve seat 250 for engagement with the clapper member 254 in theclosed position of the valve for precluding leakage of fluid. Of courseit will be apparent that the sealing member 256 may be disposed on theclapper member 254 rather than on the valve seat 250, if desired.

The clapper member 254 comprises a substantially disc shaped member 258having a counterweight member 260 provided on the upstream side thereofand an angled arm member 262 provided on the opposite side thereof. Atransversely extending bore 264 is provided in the outer end of the arm262 for receiving a pivot shaft 266 therethrough. As hereinbefore setforth, the arm 262 may be keyed or otherwise secured to the outerperiphery of the shaft 266 for simultaneous rotation therewith, or maybe suitably journalled on the shaft for rotation about the longitudinalaxis thereof, as is well known. The shaft 266 extends through a pair ofspaced bushings 268 and 270 which are supported or retained in a hangersection generally indicated at 272.

A recess 274 having a substantially flat bottom surface 276 is providedin the body 236 spaced from the valve seat 250 for removably receivingthe hanger section 272 thereon. In addition, a suitable set screw 278extends from the recess 274 into engagement with an annular groove 280provided around the outer periphery of the sleeve 246 for removablyretaining the sleeve 246 within the bore 242.

The hanger section 272 comprises an elongated block member 282 having apair of spaced bores 283 and 284 for receiving bolts 286 therethroughwhich are threadedly engagable with the surface 276 of the body 236 forremovably securing the hanger section 272 in the recess 274. Inaddition, a transverse bore 285 is interposed between the bores 283 and284 providing access to the screw 278. A pair of spaced outwardlyextending bosses 288 and 290 are provided on the block 282 havingaligned bores 279 and 281 for receiving the bushing 268 and 270,respectively, therein. The arm 262 is disposed between the bosses 288and 290 and the clapper member 254 is thus pivotally secured within thebody 236.

An access port 292 is provided in the upper portion of the valve body236 in the proximity of the hanger section 272 and clapper member 254for facilitating access thereto. The access port 292 is preferablythreaded for removably receiving a suitable cover member 294 thereinwhich may be easily removed for access to the hanger section 272,clapper 254 and valve seat 250 and suitable sealing means 296 isinterposed between the cover 294 and body 236 for precluding leakage offluid. The clapper 254 and sleeve 246 may be easily removed from thevalve body 236 for repair or the like and may be easily reinstalled inthe body 236. In addition, the hanger section 272 may be easilyremodeled to compensate for any dimensional variance resulting from therepair of the clapper or valve seat.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a novel check valve particularly designed and constructed forfacilitating the repair and maintenance of the closure member and/orvalve seat. The valve is provided with novel hanger means for removablysecuring the closure or clapper member within the valve, and forcompensating for dimensional variances subsequent to any repair work,such as facing of either the valve clapper or valve seat.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, maybe made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A check valve comprising a separable housing, inlet and outlet ports provided in the housing for flow of fluid through the valve, valve seat means provided in the housing, closure means pivotally secured within the housing and cooperating with the valve seat means to provide alternate open and closed positions for the valve, hanger means provided in the housing for pivotally securing the closure member thereto, means cooperating between the hanger means and closure means to compensate for dimensional variances of the closure means and valve seat for assuring an efficient sealing of the valve in the closed position thereof, and wherein the hanger means comprises a plurality of sets of spaced arcuate fingers provided on the housing, said sets of arcuate fingers being circumferentially spaced with respect to the valve seat for selective orientation with respect to the closure means to provide said compensation for dimensional variances of the valve seat and closure means.
 2. A check valve comprising a first housing member having an inlet port provided therein, a second housing member removably secured to the first housing member in substantial longitudinal alignment therewith and having an outlet port therein, a valve seat provided on said first housing member and extending into said second housing member, hanger means provided on said first housing, clapper means removably secured on said hanger means and pivotal in alternate directions away from and toward the valve seat to provide open and closed positions for the valve, said second housing being provided with an enlarged portion in the proximity of the clapper means for clearance thereof during opening of the valve, and means provided on said second housing cooperating with said hanger means for removably retaining said clapper means on said hanger means, and wherein said hanger means comprises a plurality of hanger members circumferentially spaced around the outer periphery of the valve seat, each of said hanger members having one end thereof open for removably receiving the clapper means therein, said hanger members being of variable dimensions whereby said first housing may be selectively orientated with respect to said second housing for positioning one hanger member in the upper portion thereof for supporting the clapper means in a manner to compensate for dimensional variances of the clapper means and valve seat. 